(18/06/2013) The European Commission welcomes the results of the 85th meeting of the Inter American Tropical Tuna Commission (IATTC) held between 10 and 15 June in Veracruz, Mexico.

IATTC decided to extend conservation measures for tuna for a period of 3 years, adopted an ambitious approach to fish aggregating devices (FADs) with obligations and criteria for the collection and transmission of FAD data, the submission of FAD management plans, the development of a FAD identification scheme and the progressive introduction of non-entangling FADS. It also foresees a measure for the protection of whale sharks.

The European Commission also welcomes the decision of IATTC to organize a dedicated workshop to review the implementation of the 2005 action plan on fleet fishing capacity management in order to assess the impacts of current situation. It is equally pleased with the decision to proceed with a financial and administrative assessment of the organisation. Hopefully, this will pave the way for a full performance review of this organisation.

The Commission will continue its efforts so that measures that could not be adopted in Veracruz, such as measures for the protection of sharks and minimum standards for port inspection, will get support at the next IATTC annual meeting.

Background

IATTC is a Regional Fisheries Management Organisation (RFMO) responsible for the conservation and management of tuna and other marine species in the eastern Pacific Ocean. Its members are: Belize, Canada, China, Chinese Taipei, Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, El Salvador, European Union, France, Guatemala, Japan, Kiribati, Korea, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, United States, Vanuatu and Venezuela. Spain is the only Member State that fishes in the area.